We are an independent, non-partisan organization devoted to the formation of all Catholics, and others of good will, for full civic participation in accordance with the social teachings of the Catholic Church. We want to bring Gospel values to the center of public discourse.

As Catholics, we believe our vote is an act of moral vision—a gift to our community. We must discern our votes prayerfully and thoughtfully, through the lens of Catholic social teaching. Not sure where to start? Try comparing the parties’ platforms here.

Through its social teachings, the Church has provided guidance for the building of just societies in a very wide variety of forms. Forms of governance, economic structures, international relations, and mechanisms for empowering each individual to have a voice and to seek truth in their own way are all addressed, so that whatever the global and contemporary context, we are not left to grope or wander in the dark.

The 2019 Federal Election will take place on or before October 21st. We are working to get Catholic voters to the polls, and to ensure they’re prepared when they get there. Look here for the ways we can help, and to volunteer!

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Conscience Conversations

Matt: Brendan, in one of our recent Facebook postings, you posed an important question relating to that most elusive of all Catholic social teachings, the principle of “subsidiarity”— which the official Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church describes

Brendan: “How many saints have we never heard of?” I remember reading that once, Matt, and I’ve been thinking about it lately as we’ve watched the extraordinary heroism of everyday love which has emerged globally with the COVID-19 pandemic. This

At Catholic Conscience we like to speak in terms of the principles, values, and virtues of Catholic social thought, since they tend to consist of broad, positive, general exhortations to seek and do good. The Church has also stressed, however,

Brendan: I’m writing this on March 28th. I feel the need to say that to contextualize this Conscience Conversation—every day it seems like the COVID-19 crisis is evolving in rapid, new, and terrifying ways. For a reader perusing this at a

Happy and Blessed New Year! To all who have accompanied us on this year’s journey, we write today in heartfelt thanks for an overwhelming 2019. Really, the input you provided and the success it enabled were beyond reasonable expectation. Thanks

Brendan: There’s so much to deconstruct about Canada’s recent federal election, but from a Catholic perspective there’s a big question that has emerged in my mind and I want to pose it to you: Is Canadian politics suspicious of Catholics?

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COVID-19 & the Culture of Compassion

COVID-19 & THE CULTURE OF COMPASSION. As we who are able to visit stores for food, masks, and disinfectant to stock up against the worst, let us not forget those around us who may not be able to help themselves so well. As the world hunkers down into its shelters, too many of us – the elderly, the lonely, those perhaps too shy to ask for help – are at risk of being forgotten: of becoming ill, or hungry, or despondent, and left behind.

Let’s reflect on ways we can responsibly reach out to those around us who may be in need:

• Can we text or e-mail the quieter ones among us, to make sure they’re ok?

• Can we responsibly knock on the doors of the elderly, and maintain a respectful distance as we check on them? As we offer to bring food, help them with prescriptions, etc.?

• Can we look for volunteer opportunities in our neighborhood, as need creates them?

• Can we be careful with ourselves, especially if we’ve put ourselves at risk, so that we don’t infect others, or drain medical resources already needed by others?

Of course can ALWAYS PRAY for the lonely and the dependent, for our leaders, and for the world. Holy Father Francis has offered us a prayer. Let’s put it to use:

Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.

We entrust ourselves to you, Lady of Good Health.

At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith.

You, Salvation of All People, know what we need.

We are certain that you will intercede, as you did at Cana in Galilee, so that joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection.

+ Amen.

We fly to your protection, O most Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessity, but deliver us always from all dangers, most glorious and blessed Virgin.